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Orvanis t1_iso0n4q wrote

Reply to comment by CascadingMonkeys in TIL Liquid Helium is the perfect element to keep the superconductive magnets in MRI machines cold by Alternative-Leg1095

While I don't disagree that balloons are a massive waste, there are different "grades" of helium, and these MRI machines require one of the purest forms/grades. Balloons typically use the lowest grade.

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Terror_from_the_deep t1_iso48gm wrote

Yes, but the atomic helium is what is in short supply. We can refine the low grade helium and must.

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ladan2189 t1_isp4opv wrote

Atomic helium? Are you suggesting that molecular helium is a thing lol

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Terror_from_the_deep t1_isp9s6i wrote

No, just clarifying that even if the gas is 'dirty' what we want are the helium atoms, and we can purify the gas as much as we need. It doesn't matter if it's a lower grade we should still preserve it is all I meant.

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Isopbc t1_isp96z4 wrote

Well, alpha particles are a thing, but I’m pretty sure that’s not what OP meant either.

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5up3rK4m16uru t1_ispe0jt wrote

It can form compounds with Sodium. And you only need about a million atmospheres of pressure to keep it stable.

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Neokon t1_isp1l3v wrote

Why don't we just make helium? I mean if the sun can do it, then how hard can controlled fusion be?

/S Incase it wasn't obvious

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Jaggedmallard26 t1_isphnpv wrote

> Why don't we just make helium

Its fairly easy the same way we "make" iron or other common metals. We mine it because its abundant in the earths crust compared to what we require. There is no helium shortage, there is one national stockpile running low and a huge amount being vented because the national stockpile makes capture uneconomical.

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Neokon t1_ispllxs wrote

Dude it was a /s it was meant as a joke. I thought the controlled fusion would be a bit of a tip off.

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